Trouble Shooting / FAQ

Asked Can a BEAM system be installed in my present home?

Yes! Virtually any home, from new to decades old, can enjoy the cleaning power of a BEAM system installed in just a few hours without mess or disturbing walls by one of our professional installers. Contact yourDealerfor further details.

Can I use my central vacuum system to clean hardwood, vinyl or ceramic tile floors?

Yes! Use the bare floor tools or install one of our most popular options: the VacPan™ automatic dustpan. It's ideal for removing debris from the kitchen, bath or mudroom. Simply sweep trash towards the automatic dustpan, touch the toeswitch and use the power of your Beam to instantly remove it. No more dustpans or stooping over to pick up swept debris.

How do I maintain A BEAM Central Vacuum System?

BEAM systems are practically maintenance free. No lubrication or cleaning is ever required. BEAM filters have an exclusive self-cleaning design from the makers of GORE-TEX® fabric, which is five times stronger than other leading filtration media. The filter shakes off dirt and protects the motor so a BEAM system works like new everytime. Because the filter is permanent, there is never a need to replace dirty, messy bags. Just empty the dirt receptacle two to three times per year.

How does a BEAM Central Vacuum System work?

To create lightweight, powerful cleaning, better air quality and less noise, the BEAM power unit is typically located in the basement or garage, and is connected to convenient inlets throughout the home via vacuum tubing. Plug the hose into an inlet and the system is turned on with a switch on the hose handle. Particles are completely removed from living areas and collected in the power unit's dirt receptacle.

How does a BEAM System improve indoor air quality?

A BEAM Central Vacuum System has been clinically proven by the University of California at Davis to reduce allergy symptoms by as much as 61%. A BEAM system is more effective at removing dirt and allergens because it has a larger, more powerful motor than uprights – up to five times more powerful. Unlike conventional vacuums that can recirculate dust, a BEAM Central Vacuum System removes 100% of contacted dirt, dust mites, pollen, dander and other allergens and carries them from living areas to a canister usually located in the garage – to help improve indoor air quality.

How many inlets do I need?

Most homes require only three inlets to reach every area with the hose and attachments. Each strategically located inlet lets you vacuum approximately 700 to 800 square feet. The power unit features an extra built-in inlet for easy cleaning of the area around the power unit.

How much does a BEAM Central Vacuum System cost?

A BEAM Central Vacuum System costs much less than you might expect. The average cost for a complete system, installed in new or existing homes, starts at around $1,000. And it can add to your home's resale value. Ask your Distributor for a free estimate on installing a Beam system in your home.

Is the hose easy to use?

BEAM Cleaning Sets and hoses are extremely lightweight and designed for whole-house cleaning from floor to ceiling. Unlike short, flimsy hoses found on portable vacuums, BEAM crushproof hoses are created to withstand everyday kinks and twists.

Is suction power maintained throughout the whole home?

Yes! A properly installed BEAM Central Vacuum System offers the same powerful cleaning performance at every inlet whatever the distance from the power unit and won't lose suction over time.

What cleaning attachments and tools are available?

BEAM offers a full complement of tools and attachments for virtually any cleaning need — from ceiling fan cleaners to handheld power brushes to mini-vac tools for cleaning computer keyboards. There are even pet grooming brushes that attach to your BEAM hose. More information on Attachments and accessories are available here, or at your local BEAM Dealer.

Where can I find my nearest BEAM dealer?

Can a broken valve door be replaced?

A broken utility on a power unit can be replaced by an authorized BEAM dealer.

A broken door on a wall valve means the entire face plate of the wall valve needs to be replaced. A standard type face place (24 low volt only) can be changed by a homeowner. A powered direct connect face plate (110/120V high volt) should be replaced by an authorized BEAM dealer or an electrician.

Can a damaged hose be repaired?

If a hose has a bad switch or a damaged handle, an authorized BEAM dealer can usually repair the hose, (if replacement parts are still available for that model.) However, a hose with a broken wire or a hose that is torn cannot be repaired to its optimum performance and it is best to replace the hose.

How and when to change a belt / When to change a brushroll?

The brushroll should be replaced when the powerhead ceases to pick up small debris from the carpet i.e. loose thread or small pieces of paper. The belt should be replaced when the operator can feel that there is no forward pull left when the powerhead is on the carpet or operator can feel the brushroll stalls. It is best to have your authorized BEAM dealer replace the brushroll or the belt.

I notice an odour in my central vacuum pipes. What causes this and what can I do about it?

There are times when your central vacuum systems pipes may seem to emit an odor. This can happen due to slight moisture in your pipe, pet hair, etc. There is a product you can purchase to freshen your pipes called TORNADO wipes. These pre-moistened / scented towelettes can be sucked through your pipes from each inlet in your home and also through your automatic dustpans. The TORNADO wipes will remove minor clogs and odours.

TORNADO wipes can be purchased from your local authorized BEAM dealer.

Why won't my power unit start?

You can follow these steps if you have problems starting your unit.

Using the switch on the side of the unit turn the switch to the manual position, the unit should come on immediately. If the unit comes on, proceed to step 2. If the unit does not come on, call your local authorized BEAM dealer.

Unhook the low volt wires at your vacuum cleaner unit.

Make sure the switch on the side of the unit is on Auto and the unit’s powercord is plugged into an electrical outlet. You may want to check to make sure the breaker or fuse to the electrical outlet is not tripped.

Take a pair of needle nose pliers and insert them into the unit where you unplugged the low volt wires and squeeze lightly. If the unit comes on you can plug the low volt wires back in and proceed to step 5. If the unit does not come on when the low volt terminals are crossed, contact your local authorized BEAM dealer.

Inside each wall valve (the large hole where the hose is plugged into) are two contact pins. These pins touch the metal ring on the end of the hose when it is inserted into the wall valve. Starting at the wall valve closest to the unit, the operator can lift the door open on a wall valve and take a spoon or a quarter and touch these two contact pins simultaneously. If the unit comes on, close the valve and proceed to the next closest wall valve. If all wall valves check out to be working properly, proceed to procedure 6. At any time if the unit will not start when touching the contact pins, the homeowner can contact an authorized BEAM dealer or the installer.

Insert your hose into a wall valve, if you have followed the previous steps and the hose fails to turn on the unit or powerhead, you need to contact your local authorized BEAM dealer for service.

Note: Always start at your vacuum and trouble shoot back to the hose. Failure at any point directs you to where the problem most likely can be found.

Why won't my power unit shut off?

Make sure the unit is in the Auto mode and that there is not a hose plugged into a wall valve.

Unplug the low volt wire at the side of the unit, if the unit continues to run, the relay in the pc board is faulty and the entire pc board needs to be replaced. If the unit shuts off when the low volt wire is removed from the unit, there is a shorted or pinched low volt wire in the owners system and their BEAM dealer or installer will need to track this.

What if I have a clogged system?

Follow these instructions for clogged system.

Empty the dirt receptacle.

Use manual switch on the side of your unit to start the unit.

Start at the closest wall valve to the unit and open the door to the wall valve and let a tissue be sucked from your hand. If the tissue makes it back to the dirt receptacle proceed to the next wall valve. If at any valve the tissue fails to go through to the dirt receptacle, there might be a blockage of some degree. At this point you can use another vacuum at this wall valve and try to use back suction to unclog the blockage or contact a BEAM dealer to snake the pipe.